ART IS NOT A COMPETITION

I was impressed by not few photographers about their vision, Art is not a competition. Here is an excerpts from Cole Thompson Photography blog.

When I see all the many wonderful images out there, I feel mine are inferior by comparison. When I see the great images from locations that I have photographed, I am disappointed that I did not see them. I am overwhelmed by the sheer number of great photographers out there and think: there’s no room left for me. I feel inadequate when I see so many original ideas…that I did not think of.

And so I get depressed at the thought of competing with all of these great images and photographers.

But therein lies my mistake: creating art is not a competition and I should not compare my work to others. I am not trying to be better than someone else, I am trying to better myself.

Everyone has the ability to be great at something, but I cannot be great at all things. I cannot be a a great portrait photographer, a great landscape photographer, a great street photographer, a great floral photographer and a great still life photographer. But there is something I can be great at, and I cannot achieve that greatness by focusing on what I’m not good at. I must recognize my talents and be appreciative for those.

The moment, we find something catching our attention and focussing it’s individual meaning to ourselves is the moment we win uniquely, even before taking a picture. Nothing could be better than these moments (… and I agree with The Jagged Man’s words).

These thoughts and words applies to life in general – you cannot be good at everything, but everybody is good at something. As a teacher this is something to live by, to try to convey to every student. Being young today is not easy – it has never been easy – but I believe life is getting more and more complicated and difficult. Many times the endless possibilities is not so good for the young.
I am more than middle aged and find it difficult to be happy with what I have achieved…like you speak about “competition”…so, every day I have to convince myself that I am good enough the way I am.

Excellent!…. at a young age under 12 years, schools have implemented a method of tracking the child’s talents, it will be possible for parents and children are aware of what is his interest.
Thank you for sharing your thought with us.